You ruined my childhood and it has scarred me so much more than you think.

You put me down and made me feel unwanted.

I have nightmares about you at least once a week even though I haven't been under your roof in almost seven years. You are my worst fear.

You have made people believe I am a bad person because of how fake you are in public. I am not a bad person. I'm doing amazing things with my life and you don't know or care about them.

When I left your life for good, you made no attempt to apologize for the awful things you had done. I was left to put me back together and relearn how to trust people again.

I'm fine, though, thanks for not asking.

But despite how terrible you were to me, without you, I wouldn't be the wonderful person I am today.

Thank you for not caring about me. You've shown me what a real man is by being the exact opposite. I know the type of treatment I deserve -- anything besides what you would do. You have helped me to appreciate the father figure that wants to be in my life far more than I ever could have.

Thank you for teaching me that it is 100 percent okay to wipe toxic people out of my life completely. By not worrying about how I'm going to be hurt next, I have more time to focus on what's important-bettering myself and strengthening my friendships with the good people.

Thank you for pushing me to be my best. By telling me that I would never amount to anything, you made me need to prove you wrong. I will be the first person in your family to graduate college. If you knew me now, you would know that I am so much more successful than you ever thought I could be.

Thank you for helping me get close with my sisters. While hiding in our bedroom together every other weekend, we became pretty good friends. We now visit with one another as regularly as possible.

So, thanks "dad."